Incinerator apparatus



June 6, 1967 H. l.. MELGAARD INCINERATOR APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet ly June 6, 1967 MELGAARD 3,323,475

INCINERATR APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet United States Patent O 3,323,475 IN CINERATQR APPARATUS Hans L. Melgaard, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Despatch Oven Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Apr. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 446,834 Claims. (Cl. 11G-18) This invention relates to an incinerator apparatus.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel incinerator apparatus having a unique loading system and a highly eflicient combusion cha-mber including an afterburner section, and an exhaust system for treating and cooling exhaust gases, the apparatus being highly efhcient for combustion and treatment of refuse material and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel incinerator apparatus having a power operated loading hopper operatively associated with the incinerator door whereby the door automatically opens and closes in response to the loading hopper.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel incinerator device having a highly efficient primary cornbustion chamber including pressure responsive means for highly effective control of the volume of combustion air, and also having an afterburner section including passage means therein defining high and low velocity Zones to assure a thorough admixture of air and unburned combustion gases whereby to permit substantially complete oxidation and burning of the combustible materials fed into the incinerator apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel incinerator apparatus having an exhaust structure with a sprinkler mechanism therein, and including flow-directing means in the exhaust structure defining a generally vertical sinuous passage which causes thorough Washing and cooling of the upwardly flowing gases by the downwardly flowing water from the spray mechanism, and thereby obviates the need of a relatively large stack for cooling, the spray and Wash system also serving to remove certain of the noxious gases through absorption.

e These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational View of the incinerator apparatus with certain parts thereof illustrated in dotted line configuration in an adjusted position, and other concealed parts also indicated by dotted line configuration,

FIG. 2 is an end view of the incinerator apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale of the incinerator apparatus, and

FIG. 4 as a schematic illustration illustrating certain pneumatic lines, lfuel lines, and electrical conductors.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 3, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel incinerator apparatus, designated generally by the ref.

erence numeral 10 is thereshown. This incinerator apparatus includes a housing 11 which is constructed of a heat refractory material and which is provided with a metallic shell 12. The interior of the housing 11 is hollow and defines a chamber in which the combustion takes place. The housing 11 includes a front wall 13, a real Wall 14, a bottom wall 15, a top wall 16 and opposed substantially parallel side walls 17.

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The top wall 16 is provided with an upwardly facing material receiving opening 18 which as shown is located closely adjacent the front Wall 13. This material receiving opening is closed by a door or closure mechanism designated generally by the reference numeral 19. This closure mechanism 19 includes a closure member or door 20 also formed of a refractory ceramic material and covered with a metallic shell 21, the closure member being shaped and constructed to close the material receiving opening 18. A pair of reinforcing and attaching frame elements 22 of generally triangular configuration are secured to the closure member 20 adjacent the edges thereof and project upwardly therefrom. A pair of elongate substantially straight actuating links 23 are each pivotally connected at their respective front ends by means of a pivot 24 to one of the triangular attaching frame elements 22 while the respective rear end of each actuating link is keyed or otherwise fixed to the outer end of an elongate, transversely extending rock shaft 25. The rock shaft 25 is rotatively journaled in a pair of laterally spaced-apart bearing members 26 as best seen in FIG. 3.

The second pair of links 27 are each pivotally connected at its respective front end by means of a pivot 28 to the apex of one of the attaching frame elements .22 while the rear end of each link 27 `is keyed or otherwise secured to one end of a transversely extending elongate rock shaft 29 which is journaled in suitable bearings 30. It will be noted that the bearings 30 are laterally spaced-apart and are supported by suitable frame structure 31 so that the rock shaft 29 is spaced rearwardly from and above but substantially parallel to the rock shaft 25.

It will therefore be seen that the closure member 20, links 23 and 27, and the supporting structure therefor which is secured to the top wall of the housing actually constitute a parallelogram linkage to permit swinging movement of the closure member 20 between closing relation with respect to the material receiving opening 18 and illustrated in u-ll line configuration of FIGS. l and 2, and an open position as illustrated in dotted line configuration in FIG. l.

A hood or shroud structure 32 having a closed rear end wall 33a is positioned upon the housing 11 and is secured to the top wall 16 thereof. It wil-l be noted that the hood structure 32 encloses the closure mechanism 19 and has an open front end 33 which faces obliquely downwardly as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. This hood structure 32 serves to receive combustion air from the outside through the open frontend 33a and also serves to contain and prevent the escape of any noxious Icombustion gases which may escape through the material receiving opening 18 when the incinerator is charged with refuse material.

Means are provided for loading or charging the incinerator with material to be incinerated and this loading mechanism is generally `designated by the reference numeral 34. The loading mechanism 34 includes a supporting frame structure comprised of a pair of generally 4rectangular-shaped, laterally spaced-apart, supporting frame members 35 secured to the front wall 13 of the housing 11 and projecting forwardly therefrom. The support frame struct-ure also includes another pair of frame members 36, each lof which is secured to one of the frame members 35 and projects forwardly therefrom, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. It will be noted that the frame members 36 are also of generally rectangular configuration and are laterally spaced-apart.

A pair of bearing members 37 are each positioned upon lthe upper surface of one of the frame members 35 and these bearing members receive and support a rock shaft 38 which is journaled therein. A pair tof generally L-shaped arms 39 are keyed or otherwise secured to the rock Shaft 38 for movement therewith and these arms project forwardly and are also rigidly secured to an open top loading hopper or receptacle 40. Suitable reinforcing brace elements 41 extend between and are secured to the L-shaped arms 39 and are also rigidly secured to the upper peripheral portions of the loading hopper 46 to impart rigidity to the upper surface thereof.

It will be seen that the loading hopper 40 is swingably mounted for movement between a loading position as illustrated in full line configuration in FIG. 1 to a discharge position illustrated in dotted line configuration in FIG. 1. An overload photoelectric eye mechanism, designated generally by the reference numeral 42, is carried by the frame members 36 and serves to prevent overloading of the loading hopper 40.

Means are also provided for swinging the loading hopper between the loading position and the discharge position and for simultaneously moving the door mechanism between the open and closed positions relative to the material receiving opening 18. This shifting means includes a pneumatic cylinder and piston unit 43, the cylinder being pivotally connected by means of a pivot 44 to a bracket 45 attached to the housing 11 adjacent the bottom wall thereof. The bifurcated end 46 of the piston rod 47 is pivotally connected by means of a pivot 48 to one end of the crank arm or pitman 49. The other end of the crank arm 49 is keyed or secured to a rock shaft 50 for revolving movement therewith, the rock shaft 50 being journaled in a pair of bearings 51, each of which is secured to one of the frame members 35. It will be noted that the rock shaft 50 is positioned below and substantially parallel to the rock shaft 38.

The rock shaft 50 has a relatively large drive sprocket 52 secured thereto for rotation therewith, while the rock shaft 38 is a relatively small driven sprocket 53 secured thereto for rotation therewith. A drive chain 54 is trained around the sprockets 52 and 53 respectively to thereby transmit angular drive of the rock shaft 50 to the rock shaft 38.

The rock shaft 50 also has a sprocket 55 keyed thereto for rotation therewith and the rock shaft 25 of the door mechanism 19 has a sprocket keyed thereto for rotation therewith. A drive chain 57 is trained aroun-d the sprockets 55 and 56 whereby rotation of the rock shaft 50 produces rotation of the rock shaft 25. Thus, it will be seen that movement of the loading hopper 40 from the loading position to the discharge position also causes movement of the door mechanism from the closed position to the open position with respect to the material opening 18. Similarly, when the loading hopper 40 is moved from the discharge position as illustrated in dotted line conguration of FIG. 1 to the loading position, the door mechanism 19 is moved from the open position to the closed position.

The hollow interior of the housing 11 is provided with a vertically disposed partition vor baffle member 58 which separates the interior to the housing into a primary combustion chamber 59 and an afterburner chamber 60. It will be noted that the baffle member 58 completely traverses the interior of the housing and extends between and is secured to the opposed side walls 17 thereof and extends upwardly from the bottom wall and has its upper edge spaced from the lower surface of the top wall 16 thereof so that the primary combustion chamber and afterburner chamber are in communicating relation with respect to each other.

It will also be noted that the bottom wall 15 is disposed in sloping relationship with respect to the primary combustion chambers 59 as at 15a. It will be noted that the sloping or inclined portions 15a of the bottom wall and the remaining substantially horizontal portions are spaced i from each other to define a transversely extending upwardly facing opening therebetween across which is positioned a perforated dump grate 62. An open top elongate cleanout receptacle or basket 63 is positioned within the opening 61 and below the dump grate 62 to receive ash and other residual material which are products of combustion. It will be noted that the sloping of wall portion 15a serves to vdirect the materials fed to the primary combustion chamber downwardly to the grate.

The primary combustion chamber 59 is provided with a primary gas burner device 64 of the sealed-in nozzle mix burners such as the Series 223G gas burners manufactured by North American Manufacturing Company.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the burner device 64 is diagrammatically illustrated and includes a main burner mechanism 65 which is connected in communicating relation to a gas fuel supply line and the combustion air supply line. The burner device 64 `also inciudes a pilot tip mechanism 66, a nozzle-type flame mechanism 67, and an ignition mechanism 68, the burner device being capable of a wide range of adjustment with respect to rich, lean, or correct air/ gas ratio and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the diagrammatic illustration therein schematically illustrates the fuel system by solid line configuration, the air supply systern by dash line conguration, and the electrical circuitry by dash-dot line configuration. It will be noted that the main burner mechanism 65 of the burner device 64 is supplied with fuel gas `by means of a main fuel conduit 69 which is connected in communicating relation to a source of combustible fuel gas. The pilot tip mechanism 66 is connected to the main fuel gas conduit 69 by means of a branch conduit 7()Y for receiving fuel gas therefrom. The combustion air for the main burner mechanism 65 of the primary burner device 64 is supplied through a combustion air branch conduit 71 which, in turn, is connected in communicating relation with the combustion air main conduit 72 which receives its supply of air from a combustion air blower mechanism 73.

In order to promote highly efficient combustion in the primary combustion chamber 59, a source of combustion air is provided for the primary combustion chamber 59l and includes a plurality of air jets 74. These combustion air jets are connected in communicating relation to the branch conduits 71 by means of another branch conduit 75 and receive air from the blower mechanism 73. It will be noted that certain of the air jets 74 are located at the surface of the lower wall portion 15a where substantially all of the material to be incinerated is received when the incinerator is charged by the loading mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that an opening or passage 76 is defined between the upper end of the bafe member 58 and the inner or lower surface of the top wall 16 and permits the passage of gases to flow from the primary combustion chamber 59 to the secondary or afterburner chamber 60. It will be seen that the afterburner combustion chamber 60 is also provided with two other vertically disposed, transversely extending baie members 58a which are disposed in substantial parallel relation with `respect to each other and with respect to the baffle member 58. It will be seen that one of the bafe members 58a extends downwardly from the lower surface of the top wall 16 of the housing 11, while the other baffle members projects upwardly from the lower wall 15 in the manner of the balflle member 58.

These baffle members 58a extend between and engage the respective side walls 17 and each is constructed of a ieat refractory material in the manner of the baffle mem- Referring again to FIG. 3, it will be seen that a plurality of vertical passages are defined between adjacent baffle members 58 and 58a and that these vertical passages are interconnected by horizontal passages 76a. It will be seen that the vertical passages 77 are of substantially greater volumetric space than the horizontal passages 76a and 76, which arrangement affects the velocity of the gases which pass from the primary combustion chamber to the afterburner combustion chamber. The velocity of the gases flowing through the afterburner chamber will be greater as the gas passes the horizontal passage 76 and 76a and the velocity of the gases will be reduced as the gases pass through the vertical passages 77. Since the horizontal passages are spaced from each other, the gas follows a sinuous or tortuous course before it is discharged through an outlet 78 formed in the rear wall 14 adjacent the lower portion thereof. Therefore, the sinuous configuration of the passages defined in the afterburner chamber along with the alternating high and low velocity passages therein serve to permit intimate mixing of the combustion air with these unburned gases so that substantially complete combustion of these unoxidized ygases is completed.

The afterburner combustion chamber 60 is also provided with an afterburner device 79l which is substantially identical in construction to the primary burner device 64 in the primary combustion chamber. Thus, the afterburner device 79 is preferably a North American Series 223G XSA gas burner and includes a main burner mechanism 80, a pilot tip mechanism 81, a nozzle flame mechanism 82 and an ignition mechanism 83. It will be noted that the afterburner device 79 is positioned within the afterburner combustion chamber 60, closely adjacent the horizontal passage 76, and within the first or forwardmost vertical passage 77.

It will be noted from FIG. 4 that the main burner mechanism S0 is connected in communicating relation by branch conduit 84 to the main gas fuel line or conduit 69, and this main burner is the main combustion air conduit 72 for receiving combustion air from the combustion air blower mechanism 73. The pilot tip mechanism 81 is also connected in communicating relation to one end of a branch conduit 85 which is, in turn, connected in communicating relation to the branch conduit 84 for receiving fuel gas from the main control line or conduit 69.

Additional combustion air is supplied to the afterburner combustion chamber 16 through a pair of ports 86, and each extending through one of the side walls 17 of the housing 11 and each communicating with the lower end of an elongate conduit 87, the upper end of each conduit 87 being connected to one side of the hood structure 32 and communicating with the interior thereof.

The oxidized and combusted gases are discharged through the discharge outlet 78 into the inlet of a vertically disposed, generally elongate, rectangular exhaust structure 88 which is preferably constructed of metal or the like. The exhaust structure 88 has an outlet adjacent its upper end portion which is connected in communicating relation to one end of a short conduit section 89 which has its other end connected in communicating relation to an exhaust fan housing l90. This exhaust fan housing 90 is mounted upon a support structure 91 which is positioned upon the upper wall 16 of the housing and interposed between the enclosed rear end of the hood structure 32 and the exhaust structure 88. A sirocco type fan 92 is positioned within the fan housing 90 and the hub thereof is connected to a shaft 93 which is journaled in bearings 94. The shaft has a pulley 95 keyed to the end thereof, about which is trained a V-type drive belt 96 which is also trained around another pulley 97 which is keyed to the output shaft of an electric motor 98 also carried by the support 91. It will therefore be seen that when the motor `98 is energized, the exhaust fan will be driven to exhaust the gases from the afterburner combustion chamber 60.

The lower portion of the stack structure 8S constitutes a water-wash section for washing and cooling the hot exhaust gas and which results in some of the noxious gases being absorbed by the water bath. This water-wash section includes a pair of oppositely disposed, substantially at baffle elements 99 which, as seen, are located adjacent the vertical mid-portion of the stack structure and which project towards each other from opposite walls thereof and extend in an obliquely downward direction. The Water-wash section of the exhaust structure also includes a pair of elongate undulating flow-directing members 100 aixed to opposite wall surfaces of the exhaust structure and each presenting alternating, smoothly arcuate, in wardly facing, concave surfaces 101 and convex surfaces 102, the latter presenting relatively pointed or narrow apexes. It will be noted that 4the convex portions 102'0f the flow-directing members are disposed substantially op positely of the greatest point of concavity of the concave portions of the other of said How-directing members whereby a sinuous passage 103 is defined by such flowdirecting members.

Means are provided for supplying water to the water wash section and this includes a spray mechanism 104 which is positioned to discharge a spray of water into Vthe sinuous passage 103 adjacent the upper portion thereof. With this particulararrangement, the gases will ilow upwardly through the sinuous passage 103, and the droplets of water will flow downwardly in a sinuous manner so that a thorough admixing of the gases and water will be achieved. Since a number of the exhaust gases are soluble in water, sorne of these gases will be absorbed in the water, and the exhaust gases will also be thoroughly cooled by this arrangement. The lower end of the exhaust structure 88 is provided with a sump 105 which is connected to a conduit 106 for collection of the water which will contain varying concentrations of absorbed gases. 'Ihe upper portion of the exhaust structure 88 is provided with a pair of oppositely inclined, substantially flat, eliminator baille members 107 which serve to remove most of the moisture from the upwardly flowing gas.

It will therefore be seen that the exhaust structure not only serves to remove a substantial quantity of the noxious gases but also cools the exhaust gases to thereby obviate the need of a relatively large stack structure.

Means are provided for counter-balancing the clos-ure mechanism 19 during movement thereof, especially during the closing operation. This means includes a pair of arms 107, each being keyed or otherwise afxed to one end of the rock shaft 25 for movement therewith. A

counter-balance weight 108 is pivotally connected to the outer end of each arm 107 by a pivot 109 andthese counter-balance weights serve to counter-balance the closure mechanism 19 during movement of the rriechanismV The pressure sensor mechanism 110 is operable to' changes in air pressure within the primary combustion chamber for controlling the supply of air through the combustion air jets 74. and to the main burner mechanism 65. This pressure sensor mechanism is a low pressure diaphragm type, preferablymanufactured by the Mercoid Corporation and sold under the trade name of Mercoid Series PG, PR and PRL. It will be seen that the pressure sensor mechanism 110 is connected by a suitable conductor 110a to a control motor 112 which is operatively connected to a control valve 113 disposed in ilow-controlling relation with respect to the air conduits 71 and 75. The pressure sensor mechanism 110 is operative in response to a change in pressure to cause the motor 112 to be energized and the valve 113 to be moved between open and closed positions.

When the valve 113 is in the closed position, combustion air will be supplied to the burner device 64 and the air jets 74. However, since the interior of the'incinerator is normally subjected to a negative pressure produced by the exhaust fan, a change of the air pressure from positive to negative results inthe pres-sure sensor mechanism being operable to energize the motor and cause the valve mechanism to be moved to the open position wherein air will be supplied to the primary combustion chamber to support combustion therein. However, when the pressure withinl the primary combustion chamber reaches a positive pressure condition, the pressure sensor mechanism is operative then to open the valve 113 to allow air to be supplied to the primary combustion chamber.

The temperature sensor mechanism 111 (not shown in detail) is of the type which utilizes the principle of differential expansion o-f solids and includes inner and outer tube members which project into the primary combustion chamber. One of these tube members is connected with a spring-urged lever for shifting the latter for opening and closing the gas or fuel line valve 116 that supplies gas fuel to the main burner mechanism 65 of the burner d'evice 64. This temperature sensor mechanism is preferably of the type manufactured by Burling Instrument Company, Inc. and sold under the trade name Burling Temperature Controls, Models H-lS and V-lS. -It will also be noted that a control motor 114 is provided for controlling the valve 115 that is interposed in dow-controlling relation with respect to the conduit 72 which supplies combustion air to the main burner mechanism 80 of the burner `device 79.

Thus, the amount of air which is supplied to the main burner mechanism 80 of the burner device 7 9 may be variously and selectively adjusted.

During operation of the incinerator apparatus, the primary combustion chamber 59 will be charged or loaded with material to be incinerated by operation of the loading hopper 40. As pointed out above, the loading hopper 40 is actuated by operation of the piston and cylinder unit 43 which also serves to operate the closure mechanism. through the chain drive 57. When the closure mechanism 19 is moved from the closed to the open position, the loading hopper 40 will be swung through the open front end of the hood structure 32 and will be inverted and positioned above the material receiving inlet 18 to discharge the material into the combustion chamber 59. The overload photo-electric eye mechanism 42 alerts an operator when the loading `hopper 40 is loaded to capacity and therefore prevents overloading of the hopper;

When the closure mechanism 19 is moved to the open position, the pressure sensor mechanism 110 is operative to cause the valve 113 to be closed whereby no air will be supplied. to the primary or main combustion chamber. The material will be deposited within the primary combustion chamber and the loading hopper will be moved from the material discharging position, as illustrated in dotted line configuration in FIG. 1 to the loading position illustrated in full line configuration thereof. Simultaneously, during this movement, the closure mechanism 19 will also be moved to the closed position and this entire cycle may be automatically indexed whereby and the operator needs only to energize the circuit once for controlling the movement of the loading hopper and closure mechanismk through their respective cycles. The ignition mechanism 68 of the main burner device 64 will ignite the pilot 66 and' the pilot mechanism will cause the main burner mechanism 65 to be ignited. It is pointed out that the temperature sensor mechanism 111 is connected in circuit controlling relation by an electrical conductor 117' to a solenoid fuel line control valve 116 whereby the temperature within the main combustion chamber falls below a predetermined level, this valve 116 will be opened to allow fuel to be supplied to the main burner mechanism 65'Which will be ignited by the pilot mechanism associated therewith.

The temperature within the main combustion chamber is normal maintained at approximately G-1200 degrees F. and the entire interior of the incinerator housing is constantly subjected to a negative pressure through operation of the exhaust fan 92. Thus, the gases and gasentrained particles which are produced from incineration of the solid and other materials within the main combustion chamber 59 will move through the passageways 76 and 77 at a relatively high temperature of approximately 80G-1200 degrees F. The secondary burner device 79 which is continuously operable during the operation of the incinerator apparatus heats these hot gases an additional SOO-700 degrees F. to a superheated temperature of approximately 1500 degrees F. The additional combustion air supplied through the conduit S7 and through the opening 86 into the after burner or secondary combustion chamber is more than enough to support cornbustion of the superheated gases and particles.

Further, the high and low velocity passageways in the afterburner combustion chamber not only cause thorough admixing of the combustion `air with the superheated gases and gas-entrained particles but also causes the gases and superheated particles to be uniformly heated whereby substantially complete combustion of the unburned gases and gas-entrained particles takes place in the afterburner or secondary combustion chamber.

These hot gases are then discharged through the discharge outlet 78 and into the exhaust structure 80 wherein the gases are cooled in the water-wash section of the exhaust structure before discharge into the atmosphere. It is again pointed out that a substantial amount of the products of combustion which are in gaseous form will be absorbed by the water discharged from spray mechanism 104 and this water will ultimately be carried ofir as sewage. It will therefore be seen that not only does the exhaust structure obviate the need of a high stack to permit suicient cooling, but yalso minimizes the occurrence of large amounts of noxious gas being discharged into the atmosphere. The highly efficient afterburner operation also tends to eliminate discharge of any contaminated products which are introduced into the incinerator.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a novel incinerator apparatus which is highly effective in incinerating waste or other refuse material and is also operable to efliciently produce substantially complete combustion of the unburned products of combustion such as gases and gas-entrained particles.

It will be further noted from the foregoing description that my novel incinerator apparatus is also provided with a unique loading apparatus whereby the loading or charging of the incinerator 4apparatus with the Waste material may be easily and quickly carried out.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a novel and improved incinerator apparatus which is not only of unique construction and operation but one which functions in aV more eflicient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

It will, of course, be understod that various changes my be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An incinerator apparatus comprising,

a housing having a generally flat upper wall and having a ihollow interior which includes a primary combus-tion chamber,

a burner device Within said primary combustion chamber,

an upwardly-facing, lmaterial-receiving inlet in the up- Iper wall of said housing communicating with said primary combustion chamber,

a closure mechanism for closing said material-receiving inlet, parallelogram linkage shiftably mounting said closure mechanism on said housing for movement between inlet closing and open positions,

an open-top loading receptacle, means mounting said receptacle for swinging movement through an arc between a normally upright loading position wherein the open top of the receptacle faces upwardly to an inverted discharge position, said loading receptacle when in said inverted ldicharge position having its open top positioned in close proximity to said material-receiving inlet,

a power mechanism operatively connected with said loading receptacle for power shifting the same between said loading and discharge positions, and

drive connections interconnected with the loading receptacle and said closure mechanism Amounting means operable to simultaneously shift said closure mechanism from the closed position to the open position when said loading receptacle is shifted from the loading position to the discharge position, said drive connections also being operable to simultaneously shift said closure mechanism from the open position to the closed position during shifting movement of said loading receptacle from the dicharge position to the loading position.

2. The incinerator apparatus as deiined in claim 1 and means within said housing separating the interior of the housing into a .primary combustion chamber and an afterburner chamber, said chambers being interconnected in communicating relation with each other, said burner device being disposed in said primary combustion chamber and a second burner device in said afterburner combustion chamber.

3. An incinerator apparatus comprising,

a housing having a hollow interior, including means therein separating the interior of the 'housing into a primary combustion chamber and an af-terburner chamber, said .primary combustion chamber and said afterburner combustion chamber being interconnected in communicating relation with each other,

a primary burner device in said primary combustion chamber for incinerating waste material therein,

.an afterburner device in said afterburner combustion chamber for super-heating the unburned products of combustion therein,1

air inlet means communicating with each of said chambers for supplying combustion air thereto,

valve means for controlling the supply of air through lthe air inlet means for the primary combustion chamber,

pressure-responsive control mechanism operatively connected with said valve means for controlling the same in response to changes of air pressure in the primary combustion chamber to thereby control the supply of air to the primary combustion chamber,

and a baffle structure within said afterburner chamber defining the volumetric space thereof into a plurality of alternating high and low velocity passages for permitting uniform hea-ting at super-heated temperatures of the unburned products of combustion, and for thoroughly admixing the combustion air with the superheated unburned products of combustion to permit complete combustion of .the unburned combustion products in the afterburner combustion chamber.

4. The apparatus as dened in claim 3 and a temperature-responsive control mechanism connected in controlling relation with said primary burner device for controlling operation thereof in response to changes of temperature within said primary combusti-on chamber.

5. The incinerator apparatus as defined in claim 3` and a material-receiving inlet in said housing communicating with .the primary combustion chamber,

a closure mechanism for closing said material-receiving inlet, means shiftably mounting said closure mechanism for movement between inlet closing and open positions,

an open-top loading receptacle mounted for movement between a loading position and a discharge position, said loading receptacle when in said discharge position being oriented to discharge the material therein through said material-receiving inlet,

mechanism for power shifting the loading receptacle between said loading and discharging positions,

and drive connections interconnected with said loading receptacle and said closure mechanism mounting means operable to simultaneously shift said closure mechanism from the closed position to the open position when said loading receptacle is shifted from the loading position to Ithe discharge position, said drive connections als-o being operable to simultaneously shift said closure mechanism from the open position to the closed .position during shifting movement of said loading receptacle from the discharge position to the loading position.

6. The apparatus as deiined in claim 1 wherein said loading receptacle is swingable between the loading and discharge positions through an arc of approximately 7. The apparatus `as deiined in claim 1 and a hood structure mounted on said housing and projecting upwardly from the upper wall thereof and overlying said material-receiving inlet, said hood structure having an opening ltherein through which said loading receptacle is moved Ibetween said loading and discharge position.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive connections comprises chain and sprocket drive means operatively connecting the closure mechanism mounting means and the loading receptacle.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and counterbalance means connected with said closure mechanism mounting means and serving to counterbalance the weight of the closure mechanism during movement thereof from the open position to the closed posi-tion.

10. An incinerator apparatus comprising,

a housing having a hollow interior,

means within said housing dividing the interior thereof into a pri-mary combustion chamber and an after-burner chamber, said chambers being interconnected in communicating relation with each4 other,

a pair of burner devices, each being disposed in one of said chambers,

an -air inlet means communi-cating with each of said chambers for supplying combustion air thereto, valve means for controlling the supply of air through the air inlet means for the primary combustion chamber,

pressure-responsive control mechanism operatively connected with said valve means for controlling the same in response to changes of air pressure within the primary combustion chamber and to thereby control the supply of air to the primary combustion chamber,

a vertically-disposed hollow exhaust device communioating tat its lower end with said combustion chamber for receiving combusted gases therefrom,

an exhaust fan `mechanism connected in communicating relation to the upper end of said exhaust device,

-a spray mechanism within said exhaust device for -discharging a spray of water therein,

.a flow defining structure within said exhaust device defining a vertically-oriented sinuous passage and cooperating with said spray mechanism to cause thorough admixing -of the exhaust gases land water for cooling the hot gases and for absorbing the soluble gases within the water -to remove the same prior to discharge of the exhaust gases into the atmosphere.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS White.

Thwaites 110-11'8 Tweit.

Staples 110-7 X Eclund 110-176 Eksstrom 110-19 Young 1 1'0-8 6/ 1961 `Osswdld- 110-8 4/ 1963 Vargo 110-8 4/1963 Sherman 110-8 X 7/1966` Evans 1 10-8 FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1961 Great Britain.

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner.

H. B. RAMEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN INCINERATOR APPARATUS COMPRISING, A HOUSING HAVING A GENERALLY FLAT UPPER WALL AND HAVING A HOLLOW INTERIOR WHICH INCLUDES A PRIMARY COMBUSTION CHAMBER, A BURNER DEVICE WITHIN SAID PRIMARY COMBUSTION CHAMBER, AN UPWARDLY-FACING, MATERIAL-RECEIVING INLET IN THE UPPER WALL OF SAID HOUSING COMMUNICATING WITH SAID PRIMARY COMBUSTION CHAMBER, A CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR CLOSING SAID MATERIAL-RECEIVING INLET, PARALLELOGRAM LINKAGE SHIFTABLY MOUNTING SAID CLOSURE MECHANISM ON SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN INLET CLOSING AND OPEN POSITIONS, AN OPEN-TOP LOADING RECEPTABLE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID RECEPTACLE FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT THROUGH AN ARC BETWEEN A NORMALLY UPRIGHT LOADING POSITION WHEREIN THE OPEN TOP OF THE RECEPTACLE FACES UPWARDLY TO AN INVERTED DISCHARGE POSITION, SAID LOADING RECEPTACLE WHEN IN SAID INVERTED DISCHARGE POSITION HAVING ITS OPEN TOP POSITIONED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID MATERIAL-RECEIVING INLET, A POWER MECHANISM OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID LOADING RECEPTACLE FOR POWER SHIFTING THE SAME BETWEEN SAID LOADING AND DISCHARGE POSITIONS, AND DRIVE CONNECTIONS INTERCONNECTED WITH THE LOADING RECEPTACLE AND SAID CLOSURE MECHANISM MOUNTING MEANS OPERABLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY SHIFT SAID CLOSURE MECHANISM FROM THE CLOSED POSITION TO THE OPEN POSITION WHEN SAID LOADING RECEPTACLE IS SHIFTED FROM THE LOADING POSITION TO THE DISCHARGE POSITION, SAID DRIVE CONNECTIONS ALSO BEING OPERABLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY SHIFT SAID CLOSURE MECHANISM FROM THE OPEN POSITION TO THE CLOSED POSITION DURING SHIFTING MOVEMENT OF SAID LOADING RECEPTACLE FROM THE DISCHARGE POSITION TO THE LOADING POSITION. 